Wall Streets Top Analyst Calls: Navigating the Ups and Downs of the Market

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The world of finance is ever-changing, and staying on top of the latest developments can be a daunting task. That's why we've compiled the most talked-about and market-moving research calls from Wall Street's top analysts. From upgrades to downgrades, and initiations to outlooks, we'll break down what's driving these changes and provide actionable insights to help you make informed investment decisions.

Let's start with the top 5 upgrades. Okta, the cloud-based identity and access management company, was upgraded to Outperform from Neutral by Mizuho, with a price target of $127. This move was driven by Okta's "incredibly robust" Q4 results, which saw remaining performance obligation growth of 15% year-over-year. DA Davidson also upgraded the stock to Buy from Neutral.

Roku, the streaming media company, was upgraded to Neutral from Sell by MoffettNathanson, with a $70 price target. The firm believes that 2025 is setting up as "a beat-and-raise story" for Roku, driven by strong results and better-than-expected momentum.

Labcorp, the life sciences company, was upgraded to Buy from Neutral by Citi, with a price target of $300. The firm cites high utilization rates post-pandemic, with no signs of slowing down, and believes that Labcorp is well-positioned to capitalize on this trend through its core diagnostics business.

Medtronic, the medical technology company, was upgraded to Buy from Neutral by Citi, with a price target of $107. The firm expects the next catalyst for the stock to be the fiscal 2026 guidance delivered in May, which will likely see growth drivers ramping up more meaningfully.

Charles River, the pharmaceutical services company, was upgraded to Neutral from Sell by Citi, with a price target of $175. The firm believes that headwinds from the company's large pharma customer group are now well understood by investors, and that the stock is poised for a rebound.

On the downside, Quest Diagnostics was downgraded to Neutral from Buy by Citi, with an unchanged price target of $185. The firm cites margin headwinds tied to LifeLabs and the level of dilution related to the Haystack launch, which will pressure the company's margins and earnings growth.

JetBlue was downgraded to Hold from Buy by Deutsche Bank, with a price target of $7. The firm expects the company to be exposed to an emerging economic "soft patch," which will weigh on demand for air travel, particularly in the domestic discretionary segment.

Teleflex was downgraded to Underperform from Neutral by BofA, with a price target of $140. The firm expects several challenges to limit upside to 2025 results, and believes that the announced separation into two public companies may not unlock meaningful value.

Sunnova Energy was downgraded to Underweight from Equal Weight by Wells Fargo, with a price target of 50c. The firm cites a lack of visibility on how the company will address its 2026 debt maturities and reputational risk from the going concern language, which may impact new originations.

DoubleVerify was downgraded to Hold from Buy by Loop Capital, with a $16 price target. The stock fell sharply after the company reported a soft Q4 result with a "disappointing" outlook, driven by a top customer suspending activity due to cost-cutting measures.

In terms of initiations, Citi initiated coverage of Titan America with a Buy rating and $19 price target, citing favorable demand trends in the company's higher-growth markets. Stifel also started the name with a Buy rating, while BofA, Goldman Sachs, and Bernstein initiated coverage with Neutral-equivalent ratings.

Cantor Fitzgerald reinstated coverage of Pliant Therapeutics with a Neutral rating and no price target, citing the company's decision to discontinue the Phase 2b BEACON-IPF study of bexotegrast in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis.

Stifel initiated coverage of Sionna Therapeutics with a Buy rating and $32 price target, citing the company's strong preclinical data in cystic fibrosis and favorable risk/reward profile into 2026 proof-of-concept data. Guggenheim also started coverage of the name with a Buy.

Citi initiated coverage of Centrus Energy with a Neutral rating and $104 price target, citing the stock's valuation and funding uncertainties. Benchmark initiated coverage of Knight-Swift with a Buy rating and $63 price target, citing the company's strong position in the TL market recovery.

As you navigate the ups and downs of the market, it's essential to stay informed and adapt to changing trends. By following the latest research calls from Wall Street's top analysts, you'll be empowered to make informed investment decisions and stay ahead of the curve. Whether you're a seasoned investor or just starting out, our expert analysis and actionable insights will help you achieve your financial goals.